Bowler versus Batsman

I'm posting this particular blip today to remind myself that it is actually summer and the cricket season. This was taken early in the game, but after they had already been off once for a heavy shower with just two overs bowled. There were only a few overs in this period of play before another longer and even heavier shower passed through. There was more intermittent play to come after that but the rain eventually won out and the match had to be abandoned. More time was spent moving the covers on and off the pitch than was spent actually on the pitch itself!

This shot is of my youngest son bowling his left arm swing. If you go large you can see the intensity in his face. He hasn't bowled competitively in a month and his frustration kind of shows. He was rusty at first but had started to find his line and length by this point. He puts his heart and soul into his bowling and I so wanted him to pick up a wicket today, but it wasn't to be. At least he got some good overs in and kept it very tight. It should have helped his confidence a little.

I love the game of cricket with a passion and I think this photograph illustrates a big part of the reason why. It's a team game but in the delivery of each ball it is one to one combat between bowler and batsman. From the moment the bowler is in his delivery stride to the moment the batsmen plays his stroke, these two players are locked together in a personal battle of wits. It's both primal and technical. Instinct combines with technique to bring off the perfect delivery or the perfect stroke. This, for me, is the truly beautiful game. Even on days like today!